John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand , etc.] These were armed with a large sort of shield, to protect them, and with spears, to push at an enemy when they came near them, and to close quarters with them: and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand ; these had also a lesser sort of shields, to defend their bodies, and bows and arrows, to annoy an enemy at a distance: all these were mighty men of valour ; able bodied men, valiant and courageous; perhaps Asa gathered these together, on hearing that the Ethiopians were preparing to attack him, as follows.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Asa's piety, He strengthens his kingdom.
--Asa aimed at pleasing God, and studied to approve himself to him Happy those that walk by this rule, not to do that which is right in their own eyes, or in the eye of the world, but which is so in God' sight. We find by experience that it is good to seek the Lord; it give us rest; while we pursue the world, we meet with nothing but vexation Asa consulted with his people how to make a good use of the peace the enjoyed; and concluded with them that they must not be idle, no secure. A formidable army of Ethiopians invaded Asa's kingdom. Thi evil came upon them, that their faith in God might be tried. Asa' prayer is short, but it is the real language of faith and expectatio from God. When we go forth in God's name, we cannot but prosper, an all things work together for the good of those whom he favours _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 לאסא609 חיל2428 נשׂא5375 צנה6793 ורמח7420 מיהודה3063 שׁלשׁ7969 מאות3967 אלף505 ומבנימן1144 נשׂאי5375 מגן4043 ודרכי1869 קשׁת7198 מאתים3967 ושׁמונים8084 אלף505 כל3605 אלה428 גבורי1368 חיל׃2428
